Empowering change through community action - Manuel Rivera of New York City calls on residents to step up for housing justice and inclusive policy reform.

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 10, 2026 / Manuel Rivera, a long-time housing advocate and board leader at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), is launching a new personal campaign to raise awareness and inspire local action around two critical issues: affordable housing and LGBTQ equity.

With decades of experience in public housing advocacy and LGBTQ coalition work, Rivera's new initiative encourages individuals and communities to take action into their own hands. "Change doesn't come from the top," he says. "It comes from people who live the fight - and stay in it."

Why It Matters Now

Housing insecurity in New York City continues to rise. Over 80,000 individuals rely on shelters each night according to 2023 data from the NYC Department of Homeless Services. At the same time, Black and Latino LGBTQ individuals face higher rates of poverty, housing discrimination, and systemic health disparities.

"These are overlapping crises," Rivera explains. "When you're queer, low-income, and housing insecure, you're not just fighting one system - you're navigating all of them."

The National LGBTQ Task Force reports that 20-40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, and 60% of LGBTQ adults of color have faced discrimination in housing or employment.

"We're not talking about abstract policy," says Rivera. "We're talking about people trying to find a safe place to live - and being turned away, ignored, or priced out."

A Personal Pledge for Change

Inspired by decades of frontline advocacy, Rivera is sharing a personal pledge to hold himself accountable and inspire others to act. He invites others to commit alongside him.

Manuel Rivera's 7 Commitments:

  1. Support local tenants' rights groups by donating, volunteering, or attending meetings once a month.

  2. Listen to unhoused individuals with empathy, not assumptions - their input informs better policy.

  3. Challenge exclusionary zoning laws in my neighborhood and advocate for inclusive development.

  4. Call out housing discrimination when I see it - in conversation, policy, or practice.

  5. Support LGBTQ-inclusive housing initiatives, especially those led by and for communities of color.

  6. Speak at public hearings or community board meetings on issues of housing justice.

  7. Mentor one young LGBTQ advocate a year through introductions, coaching, or collaboration.

"These are things anyone can do," Rivera says. "You don't need to run an organization. You just need to show up."

Do-It-Yourself Toolkit: 10 Things You Can Do Today

This toolkit is built for impact - no budget, no titles, just practical steps:

  1. Write a letter to your city council rep about affordable housing or trans-inclusive shelters.

  2. Share your housing story or a friend's with your community network.

  3. Use social media to spotlight a local LGBTQ housing nonprofit.

  4. Post public housing application info in your building or workplace.

  5. Start a book club or discussion group on housing and equity.

  6. Offer rides or meal support to neighbors attending housing court.

  7. Add pronouns to your email and invite your landlord or property manager to do the same.

  8. Support LGBTQ artists or creators who explore themes of home and identity.

  9. Attend one LGBTQ-focused town hall or event in the next 30 days.

  10. Invite an unhoused speaker to your workplace, school, or faith space to share their experience.

Call to Action

Rivera invites everyone - residents, workers, students, faith leaders - to take the pledge and share the toolkit with their communities. "We can't wait for someone else to fix this. It starts with us. It starts right where we live."

About Manuel Rivera

Manuel Rivera is a retired community advocate based in New York City. He began his work in public housing tenant organizing and went on to lead major affordable housing and LGBTQ equity efforts across the city. He currently serves on the Board of Directors at GMHC and is Chair of the Consumer Advisory Board. Rivera is a former Chairperson of the NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition.

He remains a vocal supporter of community-driven change and an advocate for housing as a human right.

Press Contact

SOURCE: Manuel Rivera GMHC



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